Jodi Sta. Maria attends international premiere of ‘EDJOP’ at Tokyo International Film Festival
Kapamilya actress Jodi Sta. Maria proudly represented Filipino cinema as she attended the international premiere of her film EDJOP at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival in Japan.
On social media, Jodi shared photos from her red carpet experience as she celebrated the film’s international premiere alongside her fellow cast members and the team behind the independent film.
“39th Tokyo International Film Festival with Team EDJOP 🇵🇭✨ Truly an honor to be here and be part of this meaningful milestone. Feeling grateful, happy, and proud to share this moment with a team that poured so much heart and passion into telling this story. 🤍,” Jodi said.
“Maraming salamat for this memorable experience. 🥹🥹🥹,” she added.
In the series of photos, Jodi was joined by fellow actor Elijah Canlas, producer Maki Sarmiento, director and co-executive producer Katski Flores, and Joyette Jopson, the daughter of the late Filipino labor leader and activist Edgar Jopson. Jodi portrays Joyette in the film.
Earlier in October, the EDJOP team announced that the film would have its international premiere at this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival, where it is competing in the Asian Future section.
“Puwede na mag announce!
EDJOP will have its International Premiere at the 39th Tokyo IFF this October. 😍🇵🇭🔥❤️ We are competing in the Asian Future section walastik!
Sa mga kababayan sa Japan, kung nasa Tokyo ka ng October 27 at 29, sana mapanood ninyo ang pelikula at magkita tayo!
Excited na kami dalhin ang love letter na ito sa lahat ng 🇵🇭 sa 🌎. LFG!
Arigato gozaimas! ❤️🇯🇵🇵🇭,” they wrote in a post.
Following its Japan premiere, EDJOP is also set to reach more international audiences through screenings at the Asian Film Festival Barcelona in Spain and the San Diego Asian Film Festival in the United States.
The filmmakers also shared the film’s upcoming international screenings, including its European premiere on October 31 at the Asian Film Festival Barcelona and its North American premiere on November 14 at the San Diego Asian Film Festival.
“Lubos ang aming saya at pasasalamat dahil patuloy pang lumalawak ang biyahe ng EDJOP! ❤️🔥🇵🇭,” they announced.
While bringing the film to international audiences, the team also expressed gratitude for the continued support of local moviegoers, announcing that its theatrical run at Gateway Cineplex had been extended.
“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng nanood, nag-recommend, nag-post, at patuloy na sumusuporta sa pelikula. ❤️ Sold out na ang karamihan sa mga na-announce na block screenings, pero may mga screenings pang parating!” they said. “Sana magkita-kita tayo—sa Tokyo, Barcelona, San Diego, Gateway, o saan man tayo dalhin ng pelikulang ito. ❤️ Maraming, maraming salamat. Kita-kits sa sinehan! 🎥✨”
In a press release, the filmmakers and cast also expressed their hope of sharing Edgar Jopson’s story and legacy with more Filipinos around the world through international distribution and community screenings.
“Our goal is to bring ‘Edjop’ to as many Filipinos as possible, globally, whether through distribution partnerships in other territories or privately organized community screenings. We’re open to exploring every avenue that will allow the film to reach its audience,” Direk Katski said.
EDJOP is an independent film that tells the story of Edgar Jopson, a Filipino labor leader and activist who opposed the dictatorship of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. during the Martial Law period.